Hotel ZaZa was buzzing as a sell-out crowd of more than 470 guests packed into the ballroom for Touchdown for TEACH on Nov. 5.

Special guest Terry Bradshaw, interviewed by Spencer Tillman (accompanied by his wife Rita Tillman), entertained the supporters who enjoyed his personal and football stories about winning four Super Bowls and being in the NFL Hall of Fame. Questions ranged from the importance of education and a good teacher to Bradshaw’s personal life. Bradshaw had the rapt attention for the audience and had the entire ballroom laughing and applauding. To Educate All Children (TEACH) co-founders Susan D. Krohn and Mary Yenik, waving the Terrible Towels (a rally towel used by the Pittsburgh Steelers), helped the event raise nearly $450,000 for the program that works to give educators strategies to more effectively work with their most challenging students in often difficult environments. The organization will net the entire amount raised thanks to event underwriter Fayez Sarofim.

Educators that work with TEACH have fewer disciplinary referrals, calmer and more productive classrooms, and improved student achievement. TEACH coach Verlia Reed-Byrd interviewed a student who had the supporters applauding for the success the program achieves in supporting local schools. Event chairs Carol and Mike Linn and DeeDee and Wallis Marsh were thrilled with the turn-out and at the number of HISD schools that will benefit from guests’ generosity.

Executive director Kelly Krohn said, “Houstonians, the most generous givers of all, continue to be fervent supporters of teachers and making schools safe places for all students. We want to thank everyone for making Touchdown for TEACH such a success.”